For Writers-Haven 's contest 

Word count: 1874  

She couldn't help it.

Annabeth Chase had a crush on Percy Jackson.

He lived a few blocks away from her apartment, and worked as a guide in the local aquarium. With his sea-green eyes, messy black hair and mischievous smile, she couldn't help staring at him whenever she saw him.

But she doubted he knew she existed. Annabeth had just moved to New York from California a few months ago. He'd grown up around this area his whole life. She had once seen him with another girl, laughing and talking together. The girl's hair was short and black, she wore dark clothes and had piercing blue eyes. Probably his girlfriend. Girls like Annabeth probably weren't his type.

Annabeth snapped herself out of her thoughts. She had a project to complete, and here she was, daydreaming about some boy whom she'd never spoke to before! She mentally chided herself. There was no way she would let a simple crush get in the way of her work.

She looked down at the piece of paper. She'd been designing a building, one with rising columns and curved doorways. She needed to submit it to her boss by next week. Annabeth was an architect, something she had dreamed of being her whole life. She loved the way the old Greek architecture stood--tall, proud, confident. Which was basically what she strove to be.

The building she was designing had that same feel. Percy would have thought so. Her friends--Piper, Hazel, Reyna--would all have thought so. Anyone could have seen that once the sketch was completed, the building would be beautiful.

Annabeth ripped the paper into shreds.

She sighed, laying her head on the table. What was the point in trying? She was never going to be enough. Not enough for her work. Not enough for Percy. Not enough for anything.

Annabeth picked up her phone, and dialed her best friend. She had only met Piper two weeks ago at an art class, but the two had become fast friends. She had proved to be a good advisor and an empathetic friend. Any time someone needed a listening ear, she would be there. 

"Piper?" she asked. "Could you meet me at that coffee shop down the street later at seven? I need some company."

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"--and he's never even looked at me, I mean there's obviously zero chance of a relationship, and I'm never good enough, not for him, not for anything, and-- and-- I don't know what to do..."

By the time Annabeth had finished her rant, she was almost in tears. Embarrassed, she looked down at her coffee, which was untouched and cold. Piper sat opposite her, brows knitted in concern.

"Annabeth," she said, in a soothing tone. "Relax. You don't need to be such an overachiever all the time. You're a great person. In fact, you're one of the most likable, intelligent and creative people I have ever met. There's no need to worry."

Annabeth blew her nose into a napkin. "I know. Sorry. I have no idea why I'm acting like this. I'm being so childish, so immature--"

"Annie, you're not. You're overworking yourself. You're stressed up. It's natural that you're reacting this way. You just need to relax for a while, take your mind off work.

"I know," Piper said. "Why don't you tell your boss that you need a break? Then you'll feel better and not be so worked up. Trust me," she said as Annabeth began to protest. "It'll be fine. And besides, who says Percy doesn't like you? That's ridiculous. If you ever see him again, stand up straight, smile, and be the confident girl I know you are. He'll fall right in love with you."

Annabeth stood up and hugged her. 

"Thanks, Piper. You're the best."

"No problem," she replied with a sunny smile. Her voice followed Annabeth out of the shop.

"Don't forget to tell me how your relationship goes!"

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Today was her day off. Today, she told herself, she would enjoy herself. De-stress. Relax. Chill out. And the first place she would go was the new Starbucks down the street. To do her work. Because the thought of not doing any work, even for a day, freaked her out. So Annabeth brought with her her notebook, blueprints, and diagrams. 

She didn't know how it happened. 

One minute she was walking down the crowded street, clutching the papers in her hands, and the next thing she knew, she was lying on the floor, out of breath. Worse, her notes were soaked with what looked like coffee. Her mind barely had time to think of anything else other than anger as she got to her feet.

"Great, now they're ruined! And that was my only copy. Thanks a lot, you stupid--" she froze. She knew that scent. The smell of the sea. And in her peripheral vision, she saw him.

Slowly turning around, she faced Percy Jackson.

"I-I'm so sorry," he stammered. "This is all my fault. I should-" he leaned down to help her pick her notes up. Annabeth was still frozen, staring at him. The first time she had spoken to him, and it was out of anger. Perfect. Her chances of a relationship with him had gone from zero to negative one thousand.

"It's okay," she muttered, all the anger going out of her at once, replaced by embarrassment. She picked up her notes.

"No, seriously," Percy said, looking genuinely ashamed of himself. "I can make up for this. I have free time today morning anyway. Uh- why don't I buy you a drink? There's a Starbucks nearby somewhere..." he looked around. "Let's go. Is that okay?"

Annabeth was shocked. Was this really happening? Maybe this was just her imagination, sleep-deprived and desperate for a social life. Maybe she should just decline, go home, and take a nice, long shower followed by an hour-long nap.

Piper's voice rang in her mind. Be confident.

Annabeth stood up straighter, smiled at Percy, and said, "Why not? I was going there anyway."

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Time seemed to fade away that morning. It could have been hours, it could have been minutes; it didn't really matter, only that the warm rays of the morning sun shone brightly into the shop, a perfect gold puddle; the sounds of the birds chirping outside and the soft chatter inside; and of course, Percy, sitting opposite her with his beautiful smile.

"So, what do you want?" he said. Annabeth studied the menu, then told him she wanted a vanilla latte.

After they had both gotten their drinks, he started the conversation, asking about her work, hobbies, and so on. These questions she answered easily. But when he asked about her family, she hesitated. 

Finally she said, in a soft voice, "My mom died when I was really young. Cancer. I grew up with my father, in a small house in California. He remarried a few years later, to my stepmother with her two sons. But... she really didn't like me. I never really knew why. Sometimes I suspected it was maybe because I was a bit more successful and smarter than her own children... she used to throw me cold looks, and was harsher with me. Sometimes even hitting or yelling at me. My dad, he didn't really notice, and loved her so much that if he did, he never did anything about it. So when I was over, I got a job as an architect and... here I am," she finished.

"Why would they do that? Who could ever want to harm someone like you?"

"What do you mean?" Annabeth asked, confused.

"Well, look at you. You're smart, beautiful, and confident. Who wouldn't love a girl like that?"

She could feel herself blushing. Eager to change the subject, she asked, "Then what about you? What do you like? Where do you live?"

"Well," he said, stirring his drink with his straw, "I live with my mom and stepdad in a small apartment. They're both really caring, and awesome. I work at the aquarium, and in my free time, I like to swim."

"Oh, and-" he grabbed a napkin, scribbled something on it, then passed it to Annabeth. He had written a number there. His phone number. She took it, looking at him, and shook her head.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, noticing her expression.

"No. It's just- I don't understand why you're doing this for me. Which bring up the question: Don't you have a girlfriend? Why are you being so nice? And, don't you have someplace better to be, like, not sitting at a shop with a girl you just met today?"

"What girlfriend? What are you talking about?" Percy's brows were drawn together, he looked confused. 

"That girl that you're always with? The one with the spiky black hair and punk clothes? Isn't she your girlfriend?"

To Annabeth's surprise, Percy's expression relaxed, and he even laughed. "Girlfriend? You mean Thalia? She's not my girlfriend, she's my cousin. She lives a few blocks down from me, and visits once or twice a week."

Annabeth was shocked. That girl was his cousin?

"And," he leaned closer. Annabeth's heart pounded in her chest. "To answer your other questions, I've noticed you around. You're impossible not to notice. And somehow, you always seemed kind of lonely, stressed up. A bit anti-social. So I thought, why not try to talk to you? You seem like a great person."

Annabeth thought her brain and heart had melted into one. She couldn't tell if her feelings or thoughts were more overwhelming. He really thought that of her? It seemed too good to be true.

Then, a movement caught her attention. One of her friends, Rachel Dare, was sitting at a table across the room. She was gesturing to Annabeth, waving at her to come over.

"Excuse me a moment," she said to Percy. She walked over to Rachel's table, sliding into the seat next to her. "What?" she asked her.

Rachel gave her a wide smile, her bright green eyes wide. Strands of frizzy red hair hung in her face, and her sketchbook, in which she had been doodling, lay on the table. "You're dating him?"

"Dating?! Rachel, don't be ridiculous."

Rachel laughed. "Yeah, right. What's his name again?" She tapped her pencil against her chin. "Percy? You two make a perfect couple. Percy and Annabeth. Percabeth. You're officially my new OTP."

"You and Piper seem to be thinking the same thing," Annabeth said. "Well, I better get back now."

Annabeth headed back to the table. Sighing, she took out her wallet.

"I shouldn't have let you do this...I don't know why I did. I can't let you buy something for me. Here." Annabeth stuck out her arm, holding a wad of cash.

"What? No, I can't. I was the one who ruined your stuff. I've paid. And besides," he said, with a glint in his eyes, "it was an honour to treat you." 

When he laughed, so did she. In Annabeth's memory, that was how she liked to remember it ending. She couldn't remember what else happened that day, but she did know what she had thought as she sat there, laughing.

I could get used to this.

And she did.

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A/N: Hi! I know I haven't been updating in forever, but I've been busy with other stuff. Anyway, this was a story about one of my many OTPs. I know this version of Annabeth is slightly less confident and Percabeth's relationship is a bit different than in the book, but I hope you liked it anyway. I have never been to the US, so if there is any error in the places I have put, please tell me. Also if there are any grammar/spelling mistakes. Hope you enjoyed this!